Reviewed and recommended: Abrione Hydrodynamic Facial Masque

Abrione describes its new Hydrodynamic Facial Masque ($22 for 1.9oz) as 'a must in face care'. I've just tried it out and I have to agree. I look as if I've just come back from vacation - all glowing and rested. This mask exfoliates, hydrates and firms.

Founded by Dr Vivian Valenty, a chemist from the Philippines, Abrione focuses on the healing powers of botanicals. The first skincare product that the company produced was made from aloe vera and fruit extracts. It proved to be a cure for acne and now sells under the name of Vanishing Point. The new mask builds on that tradition with aloe being the base ingredient.

Alpha beta hydroxy acids do the exfoliation job. This means it is advisable to follow this mask with a sunscreen. There is also pineapple, which has enzymes that 'eat' away at dead skin cells. Of interest amongst the botanical ingredients is passiflora incarnata (passionfruit extract), which is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic as well as a source of vitamin C.

The firming of the skin is achieved by the essential oils of cedarwood, eucalyptus and geranium. Dead sea mud and montmorrillonite provide minerals and detoxify. You will also note that in addition to the ubiquitous vitamin E, tocopheryl, there is also tocophersolan, a more stable and potent version.

The inclusion of carrageenan gave me pause for thought. This is a seaweed that is used in food and cosmetics primarily as a thickener. However, various animal tests seem to link it incontrovertibly to intestinal cancer - to the dismay of soy milk drinkers everywhere. This only happens when the carrageenan degrades by being subjected to heat or acidity. Despite the lactic and salicylic acids, I am assuming that this didn't happen in the production of this mask and anyway I am not ingesting it.

As always, I'd prefer products to avoid potential irritants such as sodium laureth sulfate, phenoxyethanol and hydroxybenzoate (which is ethyparaben).

Marta, thanks for the review.
To answer Thia's question - Vanishing Point has glycolic, lactic, citric, malic, tartaric and salicylic acid for a graded penetration through the stratum corneum and minimize the skin's inflammatory response from the acids while providing efficacious exfoliation.

November 24, 2008

by Thia Bateman

My dermatologist recommended NeoStrata Toning Solution to me years ago. I found it really helped keep my acne at bay, and my skin smooth.
I noticed you mentioning Vanishing Point in this article, which contains AHA/BHA. I'm wondering what would be the difference is between Neostrata's glycolic acid and Vanishing Point's alpha-hydroxy acid. As much as I'm keen on Neostrata (nice to meet a product that actually does help a cystic acne sufferer), I'm always curious about new products.
Thanks!!

November 24, 2008

by Thia Bateman

My dermatologist recommended NeoStrata Toning Solution to me years ago. I found it really helped keep my acne at bay, and my skin smooth.
I noticed you mentioning Vanishing Point in this article, which contains AHA/BHA. I'm wondering what would be the difference is between Neostrata's glycolic acid and Vanishing Point's alpha-hydroxy acid. As much as I'm keen on Neostrata (nice to meet a product that actually does help a cystic acne sufferer), I'm always curious about new products.
Thanks!!